John Anderson Luke, Jr.

Sorry sorry to hear this. John helped me massively during my time at Wesrtaco. He will be very fondly remembered. RIP

It was my privilege to be John’s classmate at Hotchkiss and to share golf with him at Vero a few years back. Am very sad to hear of his passing. He was the best of us.

Bill/Cindy, so sorry to hear of your loss. What a great example John provided in how to live your life. An excellent leader in both business and the community. He will be missed.

I am so sorry for the passing of John. My sincere condolences to Kathleen and the entire Luke family. I was very fortunate to fly John for 25 years on the corporate airplane. We spent many hours discussing our Air Force experiences, politics, world events and sports. He was always courteous, respectful, and genuinely concerned with my family and how much he enjoyed our trips together. He made me feel more like an important member of both his company and personal family than just a traveling companion. John was truly a first class person and outstanding business professional. I miss our time spent together and pray that he Rest In Peace. My prayers for John and especially all members of the Luke family. Jim.

John left an incredible legacy. It’s clear he touched so many lives through his generosity, curiosity, and care for others. He will be missed.

So sorry for your families loss may god bless you all. He will always be with you all.

Please add my name to the long list of community and business board leaders who were privileged to know, serve with and be a friend of John over many years here in Richmond

Honored to work at MeadWestvaco and learn from John Luke. He gave me advice, tools, and experiences I carry with me today – I’m forever grateful.

I am deeply saddened to learn of Mr. Luke’s passing. During my time at MeadWestvaco, he exemplified exceptional leadership as our CEO—approachable, genuinely caring, and committed to both his team and the Richmond community.

Mr. Luke fostered a culture where every person felt valued and noticed. His support of VCU programs and the Browns Island park systems reflected his dedication to strengthening our community. His vision for sustainability transformed not only MWV but the entire packaging industry, establishing new standards that continue to influence the sector today.

Working for MWV was a source of genuine pride. His legacy lives on in the professionals he mentored, the communities he strengthened, and the industry he transformed.

My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

With sincere sympathy, Brad

So sorry to hear this. Mr. Luke used to come to Brazil quite often for business at the Brazilian subsidiary of Westvaco at that time. Besides working quite a lot we had great times together. He will sure be missed. My condolences to all his family. May he rest in peace.

Please accept my deepest condolences. John was a great leader whose authenticity and loyalty made a lasting impact on us all. He will be remembered fondly.

A good man in whom I had the privilege to know and work with. His kindness and tremendous knowledge will never be forgotten.

I was deeply saddened to hear of John’s passing. His leadership, character, and genuine care for others made a lasting impact on me – and everyone who was fortunate enough to know and work with him. My heartfelt condolences to his family.

John and I were best friends when the Luke family lived on Horse Rock in Westernport, Maryland. At the time, John’s dad was manager of the Luke mill and his grandfather was the president of the company. John and I were 12 years old and were inseparable. There were times when he stayed at my house and many times when I stayed with the Lukes. Mr. and Mrs. Luke always treated me like a member of the family. John and I made several trips to New York on the mill bus. It was an adventure visiting John’s grandfather at the main office of Westvaco on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Every time we were in New York, John’s dad took us to see the Yankees play at Yankee Stadium. The Westvaco Corporation had box-seats on the third base line so it was a real privilege to be there with them. At that time, Bobby Thompson, who had played for the New York Giants and had hit the homerun to win the pennant for the Giants in 1951, was working for Westvaco. For our trip to New York in 1960, Mr. Luke asked Bobby Thompson to accompany us to one of those games at Yankee Stadium. Bobby was a celebrity in the baseball world so he was able to take us to places in Yankee Stadium where others were not allowed to go. He took us to meet Red Barber who had a television studio downstairs and at the announcer’s booth we met Phil Rizzuto, the voice of the Yankees. Bobby Thompson then took us down to the Yankee locker room and when players came out the door he would call to them and have them come and shake our hands and give us an autograph. That day we met and shook hands and got autographs from Micky Mantle, Roger Maris, Yogi Berra, Bobby Richardson, Tony Kubek, Whitey Ford, Bill Skowron, Cletis Boyer, Hector Lopez, Elston Howard, John Blanchard, Luis Arroyo, Bob Cerv, Jim Hegan. Bill Stafford, Danny McDevitt, and Frank Crossiti. It was the most exciting day of mine and John’s life up to that point and we got to share it together. I will always treasure that portion of my young life when John and I were best friends. I was a better person for having been friends with John A. Luke, Jr. I cherish the memory of the many times we spent together. I look forward to the day when we meet again in heaven to reminisce and share the precious memories of the past. In the meantime, I am remembering John’s family in my prayers. I share your grief and am praying that you will experience God’s comfort and peace.

It is saddening to learn of John’s passing having graduated Wharton a few years before him to join Westvaco in Charleston with a focus on growing the specialty chemical division rapidly via acquisitions with John’s full support. Linda & I have been forever grateful for the win-win opportunity, and hope to honor Katherine on March 26 and see Bill and the Hetheringtons to express our gratitude and condolences in person. God bless to all.

My deepest condolences to the Luke family. The five years that I spent at MWV were of excitement, increased in global responsibilities and professional development. It was a great company to work for, in a big part was due to John Lukes leadership; rest in peace.

I am deeply saddened by John’s passing. I admired his integrity, his leadership, his humanity and his passion for our company. I had the opportunity to travel with him through Europe several times and, each time, felt invigorated by his comments and genuine care for us, our employees and customers.

As an employee of Westvaco and later MeadWestaco, I had the privilege to meet and discuss many projects and opportunities for our wonderful organization. John always seemed to know what questions to ask to ensure that we had thought out each step of the plan. I had and will always have such great respect for John , his father and the entire Luke Family. Rest in peace John, you have fought, and won the battle!!

John Luke was a consistently kind, calmly wise leader and friend. Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing or working with John Luke admired and appreciated his sterling character and demeanor. Susan and I send our sincere condolences to his influential bride Kathleen and his whole loving John Luke family.

John Luke was a super guy. I coached youth baseball with him for three years as my son and his son Johnny were on the All Star team in New Canaan when they were 10 to 12 years old. John was a class act and so was his son. It was a privilege and an honor to share the baseball field with two incredible people. I will cherish the memories we made together for the rest of my life. My deepest condolences to Kathleen, Johnny, and the whole Luke family. May we all live our lives with integrity, joy, and kindness the way John Luke did. Bless his soul.

Kathleen. Sending you and your family condolences in this time of loss. You were a terrific and committed colleague at PepsiCo, and a wonderful advocate for our mutual town of New Canaan where April and i have now lived for 15 years. He is in our prayers.

My condolences to the entire Luke family. John was a good man and he actively encouraged and supported my education goals, for that I am always thankful. I will miss our chats about history and life in general. Rest in peace my friend.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. John was a great person to work with. He always had a moment to talk, in turn teaching many lessons to his fellow employees.

I am deeply saddened by the news of John Luke’s passing. He played an instrumental role in shaping my career by giving me an opportunity when I was a VCU student, and later allowing me to work in the Office of the Chairman. I will always be grateful for the trust he placed in me and the experiences that helped guide my professional path.

John had a remarkable ability to recognize potential in others and create opportunities for growth. His leadership, vision, and example left a lasting impression on me, and I continue to carry those lessons forward.

My deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time. He will be remembered with great respect, gratitude, and admiration.

I am so sorry to learn of the passing of our dear John. My most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Kathleen and family. For the 32 years I worked for Westvaco, John always was an inspiring leader who motivated us to greater heights. We shared Christmas messages through the years up to this last December. Despite the distance we were good friends! Rest in peace my friend!!!

So sad to hear of John’s passing. I am grateful to have known him and for the benefit of his immense experience and intellect. His principled, good and generous outlook was a joy and will be very much missed. My thoughts and sincere condolences to Kathleen and the family.

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John A. Luke Jr. JOHN was truly a prince of a man! I first met him during my interview process 51 years ago when I was applying to P&G. I spent the required day in the field with John in his section in Fort Apache in the Bronx before quickly being promoted to Unit Manager. I was so fortunate to join P&G’ Packaged Soap & Detergent Division. Shortly thereafter, I was thrilled to learn that John would be my break in Trainer in my section in Brooklyn New York (not far from the historic Abbotts Field, where the Brooklyn Dodgers had played before moving to Los Angeles) I was in awe of John’s professionalism, exceptional people and communication skills. Through the years I ‘ve always credited John for being my mentor and helping me to become highly successful. I am so proud to have known him, hold him with the highest regard. We stayed in touch through the year early years as he later went on to Wharton business school and later join Westvaco and ultimately become their CEO. John’s leadership, character and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. I’m extending my deepest sympathies to his lovely wife, Katherine, their children and their entire family. Rest in peace John. may God bless! Rob Kovalesky

John Luke was a great leader. He truly loved and cared for his employees. I saw several of his plant visits, and he connected with everyone he met. He met me once early in my career at the Covington VA mill. A few years later I had moved to the Westvaco Chemical Division plant in DeRidder, LA. When he visited that plant, he remembered my name and where I had worked. I was shocked a CEO of a major corporation would know his lower level employees that well. He reminded of my Dad, kind, but also expecting the best effort from everyone. He was a true inspiration on how to be a leader in my career and personal life. I pray his family feels peace as he is in heaven.

My deepest sympathies go to the Luke family. John was a man of integrity who inspired excellence in his leaders and employees. He was also kind and gracious. He gave me a seat at the table as a young woman just starting in my career. I will always be grateful.